Common Threads’ Creative Lab takes upcycling to the next level with ‘Trash the Runway’, a program created to help students explore the world of fashion design while being sustainable. This year, the show took place at the Mackie Auditorium at the University of Colorado at Boulder, where crowds gathered to showcase all of the creative and sustainable looks of the season.

This program was created by the owner of Common Threads. Libby Alexander creative lab mentor, Sarah TracyCommon Threads, a boutique consignment store with stores in both Boulder and Denver, also hosts Creative Labs. This is a program where people of all ages can take classes on sewing and fashion. Trash the Runway is one of many workshops hosted by the Creative Lab, but remains exclusive to middle and high school students.

The first event was held in collaboration with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art for Earth Day. Only he started with 9-10 students and slowly increased the number every year. In 2019, they officially named the program Trash the Runway and became a Colorado nonprofit.The program is currently overseen and run by Tanya Leonardformer mom of Trash the Runway designer.

The challenge is not simple. Design and create wearable outfits made entirely of trash from head to toe. The designer collects materials for her throughout the year, but he only has two months to put everything together. At the end of the process is a runway show to commemorate their efforts and showcase their designs.

Designers have specific standards for the materials that can be used in their works. According to Leonard, the material can be used when it “is no longer useful for its intended purpose and must be thrown in the trash.” In accordance with City of Boulder regulations, items may not be recycled or composted. Prohibited materials include duct tape, regular fabrics, buttons and zippers. The only non-garbage items they can use are glue and thread.

The materials are entirely at the designer’s discretion and cannot be purchased. If we need more specific materials to use, Leonard will make a list and contact those who ask to collect the materials. Given these guidelines, designers have no choice but to put immense creativity and care into their designs in order to make them both fashionable and functional.

“They need to address these issues and overcome challenges to make something wearable,” says Leonard. “Every year, I am amazed by the creativity, resilience and ability of our designers to overcome adversity.”

The program has generated a lot of local support from the community, as shows typically have large audiences and many sponsors. The community used a virtual runway that aired on City of Boulder TV to ensure the show continues during COVID.

“The local support has been tremendous. We wouldn’t have been able to do the show without it,” Leonard said.

The runway show at the Boulder Theater has sold out every year, so this year’s show moved to the Mackie Auditorium. There were 885 participants.

The runway featured looks with materials such as coffee bags, tractor tire inner tubes, swim caps, trampolines, butter wrappers and Whole Foods receipts. Despite limited materials, designers have created fun, fitted dresses, pants, hats, jackets, and more in a variety of styles and colors. The costumes are so well made that they even rival non-garbage clothes.

“It’s been amazing to watch them grow, in their design sensibility, creativity, perseverance, skill and stage presence,” Leonard said.

Many students who participate in the program return each year and typically study in a design-related field after graduation.

The collection from this year’s show was displayed on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Museum of Natural History for the community to enjoy after the runway finished. Facebook When website.

All photos by Vikki Wong.